Electrical socket connector with guide frame IC chip placement

ABSTRACT

An electrical connector for electrically connecting a chip module, including an insulating body, multiple terminals fixed to the insulating body, a stiffener surrounding the periphery of the insulating body, a carrier for carrying the chip module onto the insulating body, and a load plate for pressing the chip module. The terminals are used for electrically connecting the chip module. The stiffener has a first pivoting portion and a second pivoting portion. The first pivoting portion is located in front of the second pivoting portion, and the first pivoting portion and the second pivoting portion are located on the same side of the insulating body. A rear end of the carrier is pivoted to the first pivoting portion, and a rear end of the load plate is pivoted to the second pivoting portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This non-provisional application claims priority to and benefit of,under 35 U.S.C. §119(a), Patent Application Nos. 201520471305.0 filed inP.R. China on Jul. 3, 2015, and 201520767583.0 filed in P.R. China onSep. 29, 2015, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

Some references, if any, which may include patents, patent applicationsand various publications, may be cited and discussed in the descriptionof this invention. The citation and/or discussion of such references, ifany, is provided merely to clarify the description of the presentinvention and is not an admission that any such reference is “prior art”to the invention described herein. All references listed, cited and/ordiscussed in this specification are incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties and to the same extent as if each reference wasindividually incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an electrical connector, and moreparticularly to an electrical connector for electrically connecting achip module.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Chinese Patent Application No. 201210217573.0 discloses an electricalconnector used for electrically connecting a chip module to a printedcircuit board. The electrical connector includes an insulating bodyhaving conductive terminals received therein, a reinforce member locatedat outside of the insulating body, a lever and a connecting rodinstalled to two opposite ends of the reinforce member, and a load plateand a holding member installed to the reinforce member. The reinforcemember is provided with a first end and a second end opposite to thefirst end. The holding member and the lever are installed to the firstend of the reinforce member, and the load plate and the connecting rodare installed to the second end of the reinforce member. The holdingmember includes a rotating member installed to the first end of thereinforce member, an elastic member located between the rotating memberand the reinforce member, a shaft fixing the rotating member and theelastic member onto the reinforce member, and a clamping memberinstalled onto the rotating member and used for fixing the chip module.The clamping member includes a frame-shaped body portion, a guideportion extending downward from the body portion, a grasping portionextending outward from the body portion, and an assembling portionextending outward from the body portion. The body portion is providedwith multiple positioning portions extending downward. The positioningportions jointly form a space that receives the chip module. When theelectrical connector is in use, the chip module is fixed onto theclamping member through pasting or in other manners, the clamping memberis installed onto the rotating member, the lever, the connecting rod andthe load plate are opened by rotation to make the lever, the connectingrod and the load plate in an on state, the grasping portion of theclamping member is pressed to make it rotate and close so as to installthe chip module onto the insulating body, the guide portion of theclamping member locates on the outside of the insulating body to makethe chip module and the conductive terminals aligned accurately, theload plate, the connecting rod and the lever are closed by rotation, asecond operating lever of the connecting rod is buckled onto a firstbuckling portion of a first fixing member, a first operating lever ofthe connecting rod is buckled onto a second buckling portion of a secondfixing member, and a first pressing portion of the lever is pressed ontothe tongue of the load plate, to make the load plate provide a pressingforce for the chip module, which effectively ensures good electricalconnections between the chip module and the conductive terminals. As theload plate and the holding member are opened respectively on twoopposite ends of the reinforce member, the load plate and the holdingmember occupy a greater space of the circuit board, resulting in that itis easy to contact other electronic elements on the circuit board.

Therefore, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the art to addressthe aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention relates to an electrical connectorthat saves space.

In one embodiment, an electrical connector for electrically connecting achip module includes an insulating body, multiple terminals received inthe insulating body, a stiffener surrounding the periphery of theinsulating body, a carrier for carrying the chip module onto theinsulating body, and a load plate for pressing the chip module. Themultiple terminals are used for electrically connecting the chip module.The stiffener has a first pivoting portion and a second pivotingportion. The first pivoting portion is located in front of the secondpivoting portion, and the first pivoting portion and the second pivotingportion are located on the same side of the insulating body. A rear endof the carrier is pivoted to the first pivoting portion, and a rear endof the load plate is pivoted to the second pivoting portion.

In one embodiment, the carrier includes a guide frame pivoted to thefirst pivoting portion and a clamping member for fixing the chip module.The guide frame has four edges defining an opening for receiving thechip module, a sliding rail is provided on each of two opposite sides ofthe opening, a side plate is provided on each of two opposite sides ofthe clamping member, and the two side plates are respectively carried onthe two sliding rails and are slidable along the two sliding rails.

In one embodiment, when the clamping member is assembled on the guideframe and the guide frame moves towards a closing direction to beinstalled on the insulating body, the sliding rails are located on twoopposite sides of the insulating body and located between the stiffenerand the side plates.

In one embodiment, a height of the guide member is not higher than anupper surface of the side plate.

In one embodiment, an upper surface of each of the sliding rails is nothigher than an upper surface of the insulating body.

In one embodiment, a resisting portion extends from each of the slidingrails along a length direction of the sliding rail, an upper surface ofeach of the resisting portions is higher than an upper surface of thecorresponding sliding rail, and the resisting portion resists thestiffener downward.

In one embodiment, a first stopping portion is formed by extendingupward from each of the sliding rails to be stopped to a side edge ofcorresponding one of the side plates, a second stopping portion isformed by extending horizontally from each of the first stoppingportion, a front end of each of the second stopping portions has a guidesurface for guiding the clamping member to be assembled to the guideframe, a front end of each of the first stopping portion is flush with afront end of corresponding one of the sliding rails, and the front endof each of the second stopping portion is not flush with the front endof corresponding one of the sliding rails.

In one embodiment, a groove is concavely disposed from an upper surfaceof the side plate, the second stopping portion is stopped above thegroove, and the second stopping portion is not higher than the uppersurface of the side plate.

In one embodiment, the insulating body has a positioning slot and aconcave portion located in front of the positioning slot, the clampingmember has a positioning portion corresponding to the positioning slot,the guide frame has a hook portion corresponding to the concave portion,and in a process that the carrier is installed to the insulating bodydownward, the positioning portion first cooperates with the positioningslot to position the carrier and then the hook portion cooperates withthe concave portion to buckle the carrier to the insulating body.

In one embodiment, the positioning portion is a big-end-up cylinder, andthe positioning hole penetrates the insulating body up and down.

In one embodiment, the clamping member is horizontally convexly providedwith a protruding block, the positioning portion protrudes from a lowersurface of the protruding block, and the guide frame is provided with areceiving groove to receive the protruding block.

In one embodiment, the guide member comprises a plastic member and ametal member insert molded to the plastic member, the plastic member hastwo opposite side arms and a pivoting arm connected to the two sidearms, the side arms are provided with the sliding rails, and thepivoting arm is pivoted to the first pivoting portion.

In one embodiment, the metal member is provided with two opposite firstarms, and a second arm and a third arm connected to the two first arms,the first arms are insert molded into the side arms and the first armsgo beyond the side arms along their length directions, the second arm isinsert molded into the pivoting arm, and the third arm bends downwardfrom the first arms to reserve the clamping member when the clampingmember is installed to the guide member.

In one embodiment, the stiffener is provided with a reserved slot toreceive the third arm.

In one embodiment, a grasping portion protrudes forward from theclamping member, two sides of the grasping portion have grasp spaces,and the grasp spaces are in communication with the opening.

In one embodiment, the load plate is provided with a through hole forreceiving the chip module, and the load plate is provided with areceiving hole in each of front of and behind the through hole for alocking member to pass through to fix the load plate onto the stiffener.

In one embodiment, the load plate is provided with two protrudingportions and a bending portion pivoted to the second pivoting portion,the bending portion is located between the two protruding portions, andeach of the two protruding portions is provided with the receiving hole.

In one embodiment, a grasping portion protrudes forward from thecarrier, and the grasping portion is provided with a perforation locatedbelow the receiving hole for the locked member to pass through.

In one embodiment, the load plate has an through hole for receiving thechip module, and two side portions extending from a left side and aright side of the through hole; the guide frame has an operating portionextending upward from a left or a right side of the guide frame to guiderotation of the guide frame; and when the load plate is in a closedstate, the operating portion is located at a front of corresponding oneof the side portions, the operating portion has a chamfer disposed at arear side, the chamfers, from bottom upward, is slant away from thecorresponding one of the side portions.

In one embodiment, both the left side and the right side of the guideframe has the operating portion, the operating portions are located in afront of the sliding rails, and when the clamping member is slidablyassembled to the guide frame, the operating portions stop at a left sideand a right side of the clamping portion.

In one embodiment, the operating portion has a connecting portionextending upward, and a holding portion bending and extending laterallyfrom the connecting portion, and the holding portion extends frontwardand exceeds the connecting portion.

In one embodiment, a side of the load plate is provided with two firstpressing portions and a second pressing portion located between thefirst pressing portions, for pressing the chip module, a width of thesecond pressing portion in a left and right direction is greater than awidth of the first pressing portions in a left and right direction.

In one embodiment, the load plate has a through hole for receiving thechip module, a bottom surface of the load plate is protruded with athird pressing portion for pressing the chip module, and the thirdpressing portion extends from one side of the through hole to anopposite side of the through hole.

Compared with the related art, in certain embodiment of the presentinvention, the stiffener is provided with the first pivoting portion andthe second pivoting portion which are located on the same side of theinsulating body, the carrier is pivoted to the first pivoting portion,and the load plate is pivoted to the second pivoting portion, so thatthe carrier and the load plate are opened on the same side of theinsulating body, thus occupying a small space of the circuit board.

These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparentfrom the following description of the preferred embodiment taken inconjunction with the following drawings, although variations andmodifications therein may be effected without departing from the spiritand scope of the novel concepts of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate one or more embodiments of theinvention and together with the written description, serve to explainthe principles of the invention. Wherever possible, the same referencenumbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or likeelements of an embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a schematic three-dimensional exploded view of an electricalconnector according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded view of a guide frame of the electricalconnector according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing that a chip module of theelectrical connector according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention is installed to a clamping member.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing that a clamping member of theelectrical connector according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention is installed to a guide frame.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing that a guide frame of theelectrical connector according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention is closed by rotation.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing that a guide frame of the electricalconnector according to the first embodiment of the present invention isclosed by rotation.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing that a guide frame of the electricalconnector according to the first embodiment of the present invention isclosed by rotation.

FIG. 8 is a schematic three-dimensional exploded view of an electricalconnector according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the electrical connector before assembling achip module according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the electrical connector after closing of aload plate according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the electrical connector after closing of aload plate according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic three-dimensional view of a metal member of anelectrical connector according to a third embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic three-dimensional view of a metal member of anelectrical connector according to a fourth embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is more particularly described in the followingexamples that are intended as illustrative only since numerousmodifications and variations therein will be apparent to those skilledin the art. Various embodiments of the invention are now described indetail. Referring to the drawings, like numbers indicate like componentsthroughout the views. As used in the description herein and throughoutthe claims that follow, the meaning of “a”, “an”, and “the” includesplural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, asused in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow,the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. Moreover, titles or subtitles may be used in thespecification for the convenience of a reader, which shall have noinfluence on the scope of the present invention.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on”another element, it can be directly on the other element or interveningelements may be present therebetween. In contrast, when an element isreferred to as being “directly on” another element, there are nointervening elements present. As used herein, the term “and/or” includesany and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Furthermore, relative terms, such as “lower” or “bottom” and “upper” or“top,” may be used herein to describe one element's relationship toanother element as illustrated in the Figures. It will be understoodthat relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations ofthe device in addition to the orientation depicted in the Figures. Forexample, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elementsdescribed as being on the “lower” side of other elements would then beoriented on “upper” sides of the other elements. The exemplary term“lower”, can therefore, encompasses both an orientation of “lower” and“upper,” depending of the particular orientation of the figure.Similarly, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elementsdescribed as “below” or “beneath” other elements would then be oriented“above” the other elements. The exemplary terms “below” or “beneath”can, therefore, encompass both an orientation of above and below.

As used herein, “around”, “about” or “approximately” shall generallymean within 20 percent, preferably within 10 percent, and morepreferably within 5 percent of a given value or range. Numericalquantities given herein are approximate, meaning that the term “around”,“about” or “approximately” can be inferred if not expressly stated.

As used herein, the terms “comprising”, “including”, “carrying”,“having”, “containing”, “involving”, and the like are to be understoodto be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to.

The description will be made as to the embodiments of the presentinvention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in FIGS. 1-13.In accordance with the purposes of this invention, as embodied andbroadly described herein, this invention, in one aspect, relates to anelectrical connector.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, an electrical connector according to afirst embodiment of the present invention is used for electricallyconnecting a chip module 6. The electrical connector includes aninsulating body 1, multiple terminals (not labeled) fixed into theinsulating body 1 and used for electrically connecting the chip module6, a stiffener 2 located around the periphery of the insulating body, acarrier with a rear end pivoted onto the stiffener 2, used for carryingthe chip module 6 onto the insulating body 1, and a load plate 3 alsowith a rear end pivoted to the stiffener 2, used for pressing the chipmodule 6.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the insulating body 1 is substantiallyrectangular. The insulating body 1 has a first side wall 10 at each ofleft and right sides of the insulating body 1, and a second sidewall 11at each of front and rear ends of the insulating body 1. Each of thesecond sidewalls 11 connects the first sidewalls 10. Each of the firstsidewalls 10 is concavely provided with a concave portion 100. An uppersurface of each of the second sidewalls 11 is concavely provided withtwo positioning holes 110, and the positioning holes 110 penetrate lowersurfaces of the second sidewalls 11.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, the stiffener 2 includes a bottom plate20, and a first metal sheet 21 and a second metal sheet 22 riveted ontothe bottom plate 20. The first metal sheet 21 is provided thereon with afirst pivoting portion 210, and the second metal sheet 22 is providedthereon with a second pivoting portion 220. The bottom plate 20 is ahollow frame surrounding the insulating body 1. The first pivotingportion 210 and the second pivoting portion 220 are located behind theinsulating body 1, and the first pivoting portion 210 is located infront of the second pivoting portion 220. The bottom plate 20 isprovided with three locking portions 23. Two of the locking portions 23are located on left and right sides of the second pivoting portion 220,and another locking portion 23 is located in front of the insulatingbody 1. A front end of the bottom plate 20 is further provided with areserved slot 24.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, the load plate 3 is made of a metalmaterial. The middle of the load plate 3 is provided with a through hole30 for the chip module 6 to pass through. A rear end of the load plate 3is provided with a bending portion 31. The bending portion 31 is pivotedto the second pivoting portion 220 through a first fixing pin 7. Aprotruding portion 32 protrudes backward on each of two opposite sidesof the bending portion 31 from the load plate 3. The load plate 3 isprovided with three receiving holes 33 corresponding to the threelocking portions 23. One receiving hole 33 is located in front of thethrough hole 30, the other two receiving holes 33 are located behind thethrough hole 30 and disposed at the protruding portions 32. A lockingmember 34 passes through the receiving holes 33 to be locked with thelocking portions 23 so as to fix the load plate 3 onto the stiffener 2.In this embodiment, the locking member 34 is a screw.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the carrier includes a guide frame 4pivoted to the first pivoting portion 23 and a clamping member 5 usedfor fixing the chip module 6 (in this embodiment, the carrier may onlyhave the clamping member 5 which is directly pivoted to the firstpivoting portion 23). The clamping member 5 is made of a plasticmaterial. The clamping member 5 has a side plate 51 at each of twoopposite sides thereof, and a front plate 57 and a rear plate 58connected to the two side plates 51. The two side plates 51, the frontplate 57 and the rear plate 58 define a receiving hole 50 for the chipmodule 6 to pass through. An upper surface of each of the side plates 51is concavely provided with a groove 510, a bottom surface of each of theside plates 51 is provided with a sliding slot 511, and a front end ofeach of the sliding slots 511 is provided with a fixing hole 512. Twoprotruding blocks 52 protrude horizontally from a rear end of the rearplate 58. The clamping member 5 is provided with four positioningportions 520 corresponding to the four positioning holes 110. Two of thepositioning portions 520 are disposed at lower surfaces of theprotruding blocks 52, the other two positioning portions 520 aredisposed at a lower surface of the front plate 57. The positioningportions 520 are big-end-up cylinders. The positioning portions 520cooperate with the positioning holes 110 to position the clamping member5 to the insulating body 1. The clamping member 5 is provided with sixfixing portions 53. The fixing portions 53 are hooks clipping to abottom surface of the chip module 6, to fix the chip module 6 to theclamping member 5. The clamping member 5 is provided with a graspingportion 54 protruding forward from the front plate 57. Two sides of thegrasping portion 54 have grasp spaces 55 for an operator to grasp theclamping member 5. The grasping portion 54 is provided with aperforation 540 located below the receiving hole 33 for the lockingmember 34 to pass through. The length of the perforation 540 along afront-rear direction is greater than the length along a left-rightdirection.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5, the guide frame 4 includes a plasticmember 41 and a metal member 42 insert molded to the plastic member 41,to increase strength of the plastic member 41. The height of the guideframe 4 is not higher than an upper surface of the side plate 51. Theplastic member 41 is substantially U-shaped, and has two opposite sidearms 411 and a pivoting arm 412 connected to the two side arms 411. Thepivoting arm 412 is pivoted to the first pivoting portion 210 through asecond fixing pin 8. The pivoting arm 412 is concavely provided with tworeceiving grooves 4120 to receive the protruding blocks 52. Each of thetwo side arms 411 is provided with a sliding rail 413. The two slidingrails 413 are located on two opposite sides of the insulating body 1respectively. Upper surfaces of the sliding rails 413 are not higherthan the upper surface of the insulating body 1. The side plates 51respectively slide on the sliding rails 413, and the sliding rails 413are located between the stiffener 2 and the side plates 51. The uppersurfaces of the sliding rails 413 are provided with two convex pillars4130. The convex pillars 4130 respectively enter into the sliding slots511 to guide the clamping member 5 to slide, and when the convex pillars4130 slide in the sliding slots 511 to where the convex pillars 4130 aresnapped to the fixing holes 512, the clamping member 5 stops sliding. Afirst stopping portion 414 is formed by extending upward from each ofthe sliding rails 413 to be stopped to a side edge of the side plate 51,a second stopping portion 415 is formed by extending horizontally fromthe first stopping portion 414 to be stopped above the groove 510. Thesecond stopping portion 415 is not higher than the upper surface of thecorresponding side plate 51. A front end of the second stopping portion415 has a guide surface 4150 used for guiding the clamping member 5 toenter into the guide frame 41. A front end of each of the first stoppingportions 414 is flush with a front end of the corresponding sliding rail413. The front end of each of the second stopping portions 415 is notflush with the front end of the corresponding sliding rail 413. Aresisting portion 416 extends from each of the sliding rails 413 along alength direction of the sliding rail 413. An upper surface of theresisting portion 416 is higher than an upper surface of the slidingrail 413. The resisting portion 416 resists the stiffener 2 downward toprevent the guide frame 4 from rotating excessively. Each of the sidearms 411 is provided with a hook portion 417. The hook portions 417 arerespectively snapped into the concave portions 100, to buckle the guideframe 4 onto the insulating body 1. The metal member 42 has two oppositefirst arms 421, and a second arm 422 and a third arm 423 connected tothe two first arms 421. The third arm 423 is located in front of thesecond arm 422. The two first arms 421, the second arm 422 and the thirdarm 423 define an opening 420 for the chip module 6 to pass through, andthe grasp spaces 55 are in communication with the opening 420. The firstarms 421 are insert molded into the side arms 411, and the first arms421 go beyond the side arms 411 along their length directions. Thesecond arm 422 is insert molded into the pivoting arm 412. The third arm423 bends downward from the first arms 421 to be lower than the fixingportion 53, to reserve the fixing portion 53 when the clamping member 5is installed to the guide frame 4. The third arm 423 is received in thereserved slot 24.

When in use, at first, the chip module 6 is installed into the clampingmember 5, and the clamping member 5 slides on the sliding rail 413 fromfront to back along a direction parallel to an upper surface of theguide frame 4, and stops sliding when the convex pillars 4130 aresnapped to the fixing holes 512; then, the guide frame 4 is rotateddownward, the positioning portions 52 of the rear plate 58 are firstpositioned into the positioning holes 110 of the insulating body 1, andthe hook portion 417 of the guide frame 4 is then snapped with theconcave portion 100 of the insulating body 1, to cause the chip module 6to be aligned with the insulating body 1; finally, the load plate 3 isrotated downward, and the locking member 34 is locked to the lockingportion 23, so that the load plate 3 is fixed onto the stiffener 2, tocause the load plate 3 to press the chip module 6 to fully urge theterminals (not shown).

FIGS. 8-11 schematically show an electrical connector according to asecond embodiment of the present invention. The differences between thesecond embodiment and the first embodiment are as follows. The loadplate 3 has a side portion 35 at each of left and right side of thethrough hole 30. A bottom surface of each of the side portions 35 isprotruded with two first pressing portions 351 and a second pressingportion 352 located between the two first pressing portions 351, forpressing the chip module 6. A width of each of the second pressingportions 352 in the left and right direction is greater than a width ofthe corresponding first pressing portions 351, so as to avoiddeformation of the load plate 3 when the load plate 3 presses the chipmodule 6. The bottom surface of the load plate 3 is further protrudedwith a third pressing portion 353. The third pressing portion 353 islocated in the front of the first pressing portions 351 and the secondpressing portions 352, and the third pressing portion 353 extends fromthe left side of the through hole 30 to the right side of the throughhole 30.

In certain embodiments, each of the left side and the right side of themetal member 42 is extended upward to form an operation portion 424, foran operator to rotate the guide frame 4 (in other embodiments, thenumber of the operating portions 424 may be one; i.e., the operatingportion 424 is disposed only in the left side of the metal member 42 orthe right side of the metal member 42). The operating portions 424 arelocated in the front of the sliding rails 413. When the clamping member5 is slidably assembled to the guide frame 4, the operating portions 424stop at two opposite sides of the clamping member 5. When the load plate3 is in a close state, the operating portions 424 is located at thefront of the side portions 35. Side edges of the operating portions 424do not extend beyond side edges of the load plate 3. Each of theoperating portion 424 has a chamfer 4240 disposed at the rear sidethereof. The chamfer 4240, from bottom upward, is slant away from thecorresponding side portion 35. When the chip module 6 is not assembled,the load plate 3 is opened, and the guide frame 4 is rotated to open,and in this process, there is a clearance between each of the chamfers4240 and the corresponding side portion 35, so that the interferencebetween the operation portion 424 and the corresponding side portion 35is avoided. Each of the operating portions 424 has a connecting portion4241 extending upward, and a holding portion 4242 bending and extendinglaterally from the connecting portion 4241. As shown in FIG. 11, each ofthe holding portions 4242 bends inward. In other embodiments, as shownin FIG. 12, each of the holding portions 4242 may also bend outward fromthe corresponding connecting portion 4241. In further embodiments, asshown in FIG. 13, each of the holding portions 4242 may extend forwardand exceed the corresponding connecting portion 4241, such that the areaof the holding portions 4242 is large, and it is easy for the operatorto hold the holding portions 4242.

In summary, the electrical connector according to certain embodiments ofthe present invention, among other things, has the following beneficialeffects.

(1) The stiffener 2 is provided with the first pivoting portion 210 andthe second pivoting portion 220 which are located on the same side ofthe insulating body 1, the carrier is pivoted to the first pivotingportion 210, and the load plate 3 is pivoted to the second pivotingportion 220, so that the carrier and the load plate 3 are opened on thesame side of the insulating body 1, thus occupying a small space of thecircuit board.

(2) The clamping member 5 is slidably installed on the guide frame 4,thus reducing the difficulty of assembling and disassembling theclamping member 5.

(3) The sliding rails 413 of the guide frame 4 are located between thestiffener 2 and the side plates 51 of the clamping member 5, which cansave space.

(4) The guide frame is provided with the resisting portion 416 to resistthe stiffener 2 downward, which can prevent the guide frame 4 fromrotating excessively.

(5) Two sides of the grasping portion 54 have grasp spaces 55, and thegrasp spaces 55 are in communication with the opening 420, whichfacilitates grasp and saves the space.

The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the inventionhas been presented only for the purposes of illustration and descriptionand is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to theprecise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possiblein light of the above teaching.

The embodiments are chosen and described in order to explain theprinciples of the invention and their practical application so as toactivate others skilled in the art to utilize the invention and variousembodiments and with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated. Alternative embodiments will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art to which the present inventionpertains without departing from its spirit and scope. Accordingly, thescope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims ratherthan the foregoing description and the exemplary embodiments describedtherein.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electrical connector for electricallyconnecting a chip module, comprising: an insulating body; a plurality ofterminals received in the insulating body, for electrically connectingthe chip module; a stiffener surrounding the periphery of the insulatingbody, wherein the stiffener has a first pivoting portion and a secondpivoting portion, the first pivoting portion is located in front of thesecond pivoting portion, and the first pivoting portion and the secondpivoting portion are located on a same side of the insulating body; acarrier for carrying the chip module onto the insulating body, wherein arear end of the carrier is pivoted to the first pivoting portion; and aload plate for pressing the chip module, wherein a rear end of the loadplate is pivoted to the second pivoting portion, wherein the carriercomprises: a guide frame pivoted to the first pivoting portion; and aclamping member for fixing the chip module; wherein the guide frame hasfour edges defining an opening for receiving the chip module, a slidingrail is provided on each of two opposite sides of the opening, a sideplate is provided on each of two opposite sides of the clamping member,and the two side plates are respectively carried on the two slidingrails and are slidable along the two sliding rails; wherein when theclamping member is assembled on the guide frame and the guide framemoves towards a closing direction to be installed on the insulatingbody, the sliding rails are located on two opposite sides of theinsulating body and located between the stiffener and the side plates;and wherein an upper surface of each of the sliding rails is not higherthan an upper surface of the insulating body.
 2. The electricalconnector of claim 1, wherein a grasping portion protrudes forward fromthe clamping member, two sides of the grasping portion have graspspaces, and the grasp spaces are in communication with the opening. 3.The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein the load plate is providedwith a through hole for receiving the chip module, a protrusionprotrudes downward from the load plate, and at least a part of theprotrusion is located at a corner of the through hole.
 4. The electricalconnector of claim 1, wherein the load plate is provided with a throughhole for receiving the chip module, a protrusion protrudes downward fromthe load plate, and at least a part of the protrusion is located infront of the through hole.
 5. An electrical connector for electricallyconnecting a chip module, comprising: an insulating body; a plurality ofterminals received in the insulating body, for electrically connectingthe chip module; a stiffener surrounding the periphery of the insulatingbody, wherein the stiffener has a first pivoting portion and a secondpivoting portion, the first pivoting portion is located in front of thesecond pivoting portion, and the first pivoting portion and the secondpivoting portion are located on a same side of the insulating body; acarrier for carrying the chip module onto the insulating body, wherein arear end of the carrier is pivoted to the first pivoting portion; and aload plate for pressing the chip module, wherein a rear end of the loadplate is pivoted to the second pivoting portion, wherein the carriercomprises: a guide frame pivoted to the first pivoting portion; and aclamping member for fixing the chip module; wherein the guide frame hasfour edges defining an opening for receiving the chip module, a slidingrail is provided on each of two opposite sides of the opening, a sideplate is provided on each of two opposite sides of the clamping member,and the two side plates are respectively carried on the two slidingrails and are slidable along the two sliding rails; wherein a firststopping portion is formed by extending upward from each of the slidingrails to be stopped to a side edge of corresponding one of the sideplates, a second stopping portion is formed by extending horizontallyfrom each of the first stopping portion, a front end of each of thefirst stopping portion is flush with a front end of corresponding one ofthe sliding rails, and the front end of each of the second stoppingportion is not flush with the front end of corresponding one of thesliding rails; and wherein a groove is concavely disposed from an uppersurface of the side plate, the second stopping portion is stopped abovethe groove, and the second stopping portion is not higher than the uppersurface of the side plate.
 6. The electrical connector of claim 5,wherein a front end of each of the second stopping portions has a guidesurface for guiding the clamping member to be assembled to the guideframe.
 7. The electrical connector of claim 5, wherein a graspingportion protrudes forward from the clamping member, two sides of thegrasping portion have grasp spaces, and the grasp spaces are incommunication with the opening.
 8. An electrical connector forelectrically connecting a chip module, comprising: an insulating body; aplurality of terminals received in the insulating body, for electricallyconnecting the chip module; a stiffener surrounding the periphery of theinsulating body, wherein the stiffener has a first pivoting portion anda second pivoting portion, the first pivoting portion is located infront of the second pivoting portion, and the first pivoting portion andthe second pivoting portion are located on a same side of the insulatingbody; a carrier for carrying the chip module onto the insulating body,wherein a rear end of the carrier is pivoted to the first pivotingportion; and a load plate for pressing the chip module, wherein a rearend of the load plate is pivoted to the second pivoting portion, whereinthe carrier comprises: a guide frame pivoted to the first pivotingportion; and a clamping member for fixing the chip module; wherein theguide frame has four edges defining an opening for receiving the chipmodule, a sliding rail is provided on each of two opposite sides of theopening, a side plate is provided on each of two opposite sides of theclamping member, and the two side plates are respectively carried on thetwo sliding rails and are slidable along the two sliding rails; andwherein the insulating body has a concave portion, the guide frame has ahook portion corresponding to the concave portion, and in a process thatthe carrier is installed to the insulating body downward, the hookportion cooperates with the concave portion to buckle the carrier to theinsulating body.
 9. The electrical connector of claim 8, wherein theinsulating body has a positioning hole, the concave portion is locatedin front of the positioning hole, the clamping member has a positioningportion corresponding to the positioning hole, and in the process thatthe carrier is installed to the insulating body downward, thepositioning portion cooperates with the positioning hole to position thecarrier before the hook portion cooperates with the concave portion tobuckle the carrier to the insulating body.
 10. The electrical connectorof claim 9, wherein the clamping member is horizontally convexlyprovided with a protruding block, and the guide frame is provided with areceiving groove to receive the protruding block.
 11. The electricalconnector of claim 10, wherein the positioning portion protrudes from alower surface of the protruding block.
 12. The electrical connector ofclaim 8, wherein the clamping member is horizontally convexly providedwith a protruding block, and the guide frame is provided with areceiving groove to receive the protruding block.
 13. An electricalconnector for electrically connecting a chip module, comprising: aninsulating body; a plurality of terminals received in the insulatingbody, for electrically connecting the chip module; a stiffenersurrounding the periphery of the insulating body, wherein the stiffenerhas a first pivoting portion and a second pivoting portion, the firstpivoting portion is located in front of the second pivoting portion, andthe first pivoting portion and the second pivoting portion are locatedon a same side of the insulating body; a carrier for carrying the chipmodule onto the insulating body, wherein a rear end of the carrier ispivoted to the first pivoting portion; and a load plate for pressing thechip module, wherein a rear end of the load plate is pivoted to thesecond pivoting portion, wherein the carrier comprises: a guide framepivoted to the first pivoting portion; and a clamping member for fixingthe chip module; wherein the guide frame has four edges defining anopening for receiving the chip module, a sliding rail is provided oneach of two opposite sides of the opening, a side plate is provided oneach of two opposite sides of the clamping member, and the two sideplates are respectively carried on the two sliding rails and areslidable along the two sliding rails; and wherein the guide framecomprises a plastic member and a metal member insert molded to theplastic member, the plastic member has two opposite side arms and apivoting arm connected to the two side arms, the side arms are providedwith the sliding rails, and the pivoting arm is pivoted to the firstpivoting portion.
 14. The electrical connector of claim 13, wherein themetal member is provided with two opposite first arms, and a second armand a third arm connected to the two first arms, the first arms areinsert molded into the side arms and the first arms go beyond the sidearms along their length directions, the second arm is insert molded intothe pivoting arm, and the third arm bends downward from the first armsto reserve the clamping member when the clamping member is installed tothe guide frame.
 15. The electrical connector of claim 14, wherein thestiffener is provided with a reserved slot to receive the third arm. 16.An electrical connector for electrically connecting a chip module,comprising: an insulating body; a plurality of terminals received in theinsulating body, for electrically connecting the chip module; astiffener surrounding the periphery of the insulating body, wherein thestiffener has a first pivoting portion and a second pivoting portion,the first pivoting portion is located in front of the second pivotingportion, and the first pivoting portion and the second pivoting portionare located on a same side of the insulating body; a carrier forcarrying the chip module onto the insulating body, wherein a rear end ofthe carrier is pivoted to the first pivoting portion; and a load platefor pressing the chip module, wherein a rear end of the load plate ispivoted to the second pivoting portion, wherein the carrier comprises: aguide frame pivoted to the first pivoting portion; and a clamping memberfor fixing the chip module; wherein the guide frame has four edgesdefining an opening for receiving the chip module, a sliding rail isprovided on each of two opposite sides of the opening, a side plate isprovided on each of two opposite sides of the clamping member, and thetwo side plates are respectively carried on the two sliding rails andare slidable along the two sliding rails; and wherein the guide framecomprises a plastic member and a metal member insert molded to theplastic member, the plastic member has two opposite side arms and a reararm connected to the two side arms, the side arms are provided with thesliding rails.
 17. The electrical connector of claim 16, wherein themetal member is provided with two opposite first arms, and a second armand a third arm connected to the two first arms, the first arms areinsert molded into the side arms and the first arms go beyond the sidearms along their length directions, the second arm is insert molded intothe rear arm, and the third arm bends downward from the first arms toreserve the clamping member when the clamping member is installed to theguide frame.
 18. The electrical connector of claim 17, wherein thestiffener is provided with a reserved slot to receive the third arm. 19.An electrical connector for electrically connecting a chip module,comprising: an insulating body; a plurality of terminals received in theinsulating body, for electrically connecting the chip module; astiffener surrounding the periphery of the insulating body, wherein thestiffener has a first pivoting portion and a second pivoting portion,the first pivoting portion is located in front of the second pivotingportion, and the first pivoting portion and the second pivoting portionare located on a same side of the insulating body; a carrier forcarrying the chip module onto the insulating body, wherein a rear end ofthe carrier is pivoted to the first pivoting portion; and a load platefor pressing the chip module, wherein a rear end of the load plate ispivoted to the second pivoting portion, wherein the load plate isprovided with a through hole for receiving the chip module, and the loadplate is provided with a receiving hole in each of front of and behindthe through hole for a locking member to pass through to fix the loadplate onto the stiffener; and wherein the load plate is provided withtwo protruding portions and a bending portion pivoted to the secondpivoting portion, the bending portion is located between the twoprotruding portions, and each of the two protruding portions is providedwith the receiving hole.
 20. The electrical connector of claim 19,wherein a grasping portion protrudes forward from the carrier, and thegrasping portion is provided with a perforation located below thereceiving hole for the locked member to pass through.
 21. The electricalconnector of claim 19, wherein the load plate is provided with a throughhole for receiving the chip module, a protrusion protrudes downward fromthe load plate, and at least a part of the protrusion is located at acorner of the through hole.
 22. The electrical connector of claim 19,wherein the load plate is provided with a through hole for receiving thechip module, a protrusion protrudes downward from the load plate, and atleast a part of the protrusion is located in front of the through hole.23. An electrical connector for electrically connecting a chip module,comprising: an insulating body; a plurality of terminals received in theinsulating body, for electrically connecting the chip module; astiffener surrounding the periphery of the insulating body, wherein thestiffener has a first pivoting portion and a second pivoting portion,the first pivoting portion is located in front of the second pivotingportion, and the first pivoting portion and the second pivoting portionare located on a same side of the insulating body; a carrier forcarrying the chip module onto the insulating body, wherein a rear end ofthe carrier is pivoted to the first pivoting portion; and a load platefor pressing the chip module, wherein a rear end of the load plate ispivoted to the second pivoting portion, wherein the carrier comprises: aguide frame pivoted to the first pivoting portion; and a clamping memberfor fixing the chip module; wherein the guide frame has four edgesdefining an opening for receiving the chip module, a sliding rail isprovided on each of two opposite sides of the opening, a side plate isprovided on each of two opposite sides of the clamping member, and thetwo side plates are respectively carried on the two sliding rails andare slidable along the two sliding rails; wherein the load plate has athrough hole for receiving the chip module, and two side portionsextending from a left side and a right side of the through hole; whereinthe guide frame has an operating portion extending upward from a left ora right side of the guide frame to operate rotation of the guide frame;and when the load plate is in a closed state, the operating portion islocated at a front of corresponding one of the side portions.
 24. Theelectrical connector of claim 23, wherein the operating portion has achamfer disposed at a rear side, the chamfers, from bottom upward, isslant away from the corresponding one of the side portions.
 25. Theelectrical connector of claim 24, wherein both the left side and theright side of the guide frame has the operating portion, the operatingportions are located in a front of the sliding rails, and when theclamping member is slidably assembled to the guide frame, the operatingportions stop at a left side and a right side of the clamping portion.26. The electrical connector of claim 24, wherein the operating portionhas a connecting portion extending upward, and a holding portion bendingand extending laterally from the connecting portion, and the holdingportion extends frontward and exceeds the connecting portion.
 27. Theelectrical connector of claim 24, wherein a grasping portion protrudesforward from the clamping member, two sides of the grasping portion havegrasp spaces, and the grasp spaces are in communication with theopening.
 28. The electrical connector of claim 23, wherein a graspingportion protrudes forward from the clamping member, two sides of thegrasping portion have grasp spaces, and the grasp spaces are incommunication with the opening.
 29. The electrical connector of claim23, wherein both the left side and the right side of the guide frame hasthe operating portion, the operating portions are located in a front ofthe sliding rails, and when the clamping member is slidably assembled tothe guide frame, the operating portions stop at a left side and a rightside of the clamping portion.
 30. The electrical connector of claim 23,wherein the operating portion has a connecting portion extending upward,and a holding portion bending and extending laterally from theconnecting portion, and the holding portion extends frontward andexceeds the connecting portion.